Congratulations, Dad (Viren)! Of the six participants, you came in first place with 10 correct guesses to the quiz we’ve dubbed “Amir Gab.” Your prize will be printed and mailed to you in the coming weeks.

Following are all the answers. I didn’t nitpick over singular versus plural since the spirit of the word was there. Additionally, all comments have been revealed in the previous post’s comment section.

Thanks for playing!

1. brogan = broken
2. to midgets = two minutes
3. waffos = waffles
4. Mo = Gizmo
5. off-off = office
6. Daban = Grandma
7. Daba Doe = Grandpa Joe
8. hass = house
9. kookay = cookie
10. Sinny = Sidney
11. baboom = baboon
12. Fraunch totes = French toast
13. gaga = garbage
14. pops-a-doodle = popsicle
15. Bumshabba = Bumshiqua
16. backbury = blackberry

The post And the winner is… appeared first on benjaminal.

Now that he’s built a hefty arsenal and we’ve grown accustomed to his version of words/names/phrases, we’d like to share our favorites — “Amirisms” — and see whether you know what the actual word is.

Are you up for a guessing game? If so, leave your answers in the comment section. The winner will be named in a follow-up post on Sunday, Jan. 13, along with the correct answers. Also, the winner will receive a 5×7 print of our very own “Prince of Peace.”

Have fun!

1. brogan
2. to midgets
3. waffos
4. Mo
5. off-off
6. Daban
7. Daba Doe
8. hass
9. kookay
10. Sinny
11. baboom
12. Fraunch totes
13. gaga
14. pops-a-doodle
15. Bumshabba
16. backbury

The post A Guessing Game appeared first on benjaminal.

He is such a fan of guitars, in fact, that when he was younger he’d pretend to play a guitar – usually just a mini flashlight – and sing his gibberish songs. But being the lucky and loved kid that he is, Amir received a toy guitar as a gift from his Nehal-masi (“Masi” meaning mother’s sister in Gujarati) while we were in California for Thanksgiving. Nearly every day since then, Little Man has picked up his guitar and “strummed” a tune out while dancing. The gibberish has morphed into English and the style and attitude is quite deliberate now, as you’ll hear in the video below.

The jamming remains very adorable though. Or, more aptly, very rock & roll.

Rock & Roll! from gandhi-shepard on Vimeo.

The post Hall of Famer appeared first on benjaminal.

And so I pray, and I love, and I put forth more effort to appreciate.

I cried last night when President Obama shared a description of parenthood at the vigil honoring the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary, where 26 people – 20 of them children – were killed:

Someone once described the joy and anxiety of parenthood as the equivalent of having your heart outside of your body all the time, walking around. With their very first cry, this most precious, vital part of ourselves – our child – is suddenly exposed to the world, to possible mishap or malice. And every parent knows there is nothing we will not do to shield our children from harm. And yet, we also know that with that child’s very first step, and each step after that, they are separating from us; that we won’t – that we can’t always be there for them.”

I understand these sentiments now that I am a parent. What’s really touched me, however, is hearing them as a child of someone else.

For those of us still lucky enough to do so: Hug your kids and your parents.

The post In Memory appeared first on benjaminal.

We were proud of our low-key approach. Gifts of expensive or sparkly things were never expected. Instead, we opted for simplicity by way of “I Love You” whispers and “Happy Birthday” exultations paired with bear hugs.

But all those years of nonchalance began to make me feel very dull … flat. The days seemed to meld together, no matter the season, thus dampening what could otherwise be a spirited time. Today, part of my current evolution – my progress – is a promise to celebrate more. I deserve it. Ben does, and Amir undoubtedly does too.

So this past weekend, the Gandhi-Shepards set out to bring some twinkle, color, light and cheer to our home in honor of the holidays. Unlike years past, when there was little evidence of Christmastime unless you saw a lone poinsettia on the console table that someone dropped off, this year our tree is decorated and lit, the stockings are hung and the house is brighter, just like our moods.

And the bonus is creating the experience as a family. Neither expensive nor sparkly, but hearing Amir squeal, “Whoooaaaa! Dad!” as he marveled over the ornate tree was the most valuable gift of all.

The post Celebrating More appeared first on benjaminal.

I know. I know I just linked preschool to death, but please indulge me during my fit of parental trepidation.

Come January 7, Amir will begin preschool. This has been the expectation since September, when Ben and I were busting at the seams to get our 2-year-old better “socialized” to kids his age. We were ready. So ready that we groaned after learning our chosen preschool had a three-month-long wait list, at minimum. And then, subconsciously reassured that nothing was changing, I’m sure, we filed away the inevitability for another day.

Another day
When I nonchalantly called the preschool some days ago to check on Amir’s enrollment status, I was expecting to hear the voice on the other end tell me that we’d have to wait a while longer before enrolling my kid. At which point my plan was to feign disappointment. This denial was my armor. But imagine my true disappointment after hearing that Amir could start school full time in January.

Chink. In. Armor.

Panic-stricken, I began negotiating: You know, we’d rather start him off part-time, a few days a week, a few hours a day to make the transition easier on him. I don’t want this change to be upsetting.

– .

There’s a reason I linked preschool to death. Because, thus far, I’ve found myself experiencing the early stages of grief. Even though we are still weeks away from January, what was once months is now weeks and these weeks will soon dwindle to days and hours. And that inevitability is terrifying.

The post The Inevitability of It All appeared first on benjaminal.

But while waiting for the eve of 2013, I saw myself forfeiting inspiration and ideas that only occur in the now. They were slipping away with the days, and it became clear that I was setting up my all-too-familiar trap once again: The Trap of Perfect Timing.

I am speaking only of me – Minal. Neither my husband nor son care about perfect timing. Ben – because he is a wise mover-and-shaker – and Amir – because he is 2 and impulsive – don’t give it much thought or yield to its unnecessary pressure. I, unfortunately, have waited too long and for too few moments that didn’t turn out to be so perfect. So I am taking the first step in dismantling my own trap in order to strive for the other P-word: progress.

Hence this post, which is simply to share a picture and say:

Hello! The Gandhi-Shepards are good and healthy and still growing. Some more than others, and others more subtly than the next.”

The post Growing Up appeared first on benjaminal.

It was a family affair, and we’re grateful to Joseph and Claire for taking the family on an amazing vacation that included a seven-day cruise, adventurous excursions and breathtaking scenery. We saw many, many things … but we didn’t see Russia — go figure!

Amir enjoyed himself too. In fact, he and his young cousins impressed all of us with their adaptability.

There are LOTS of photos to share, and some are still in their editing phase so I will post the second set in about a week.

Lastly, kudos to my husband, photographer extraordinaire, who has a great eye for the aesthetic. Below are images from Seattle, Juneau and Hubbard Glacier. Stay tuned for photos from Alaska cities Sitka and Ketchikan; Victoria, British Columbia; and Seattle again.

The post Alaska! Part I appeared first on benjaminal.

So it was fitting for Ben and me to celebrate Little Man’s first year of life. It was also our Thank You to Amir for raising us while we raised him. And our dear friends and family were there to share in our joy and gratitude.

The post You’re 1, Son appeared first on benjaminal.

Sure, he wobbled a bunch at first, thus making it seem as though he had a bit too much to drink, but in a matter of days — and after lots of practice — he looks like a pro. In fact, his balance and confidence has grown since this video was taken earlier in the week. (Speaking of the video, it’s my first attempt at creating a clip in iMovie, so I hope you enjoy it.)

We’re so proud of this kid. He rewards Ben and I each day with his smiles, giggles, gibberish, and, yes, even tantrums. We can’t believe that less than a year ago Amir hadn’t yet seen the world. And now he’s walking all over it!

The post Put on Your Dancing Shoes appeared first on benjaminal.